brake DODGE CALIBER 2007 1.G User Guide

When lit solid:There is an AWD system fault. AWD
performance will be at a reduced level. Service the AWD
system soon.
When blinking:The AWD system is temporarily dis-
abled due to overload condition.
25. Anti-Lock Warning Light (ABS) — If Equipped
This light monitors the Anti-Lock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) described elsewhere in this
manual. This light will come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ON position and
may stay on for as long as four seconds.
If the ABS light remains on or comes on during driving,
it indicates that the Anti-Lock portion of the brake system
is not functioning and that service is required, however,
the conventional brake system will continue to operate
normally provided that the BRAKE warning light is not
on.
If the ABS light is on, the brake system should be serviced
as soon as possible to restore the benefit of Anti-Lock
Brakes.The warning light should be checked frequently to assure
that it is operating properly. Turn the ignition key to the
on position, but do not start the vehicle. The light should
come on. If the light does not come on, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
26. High Beam Indicator
This light shows that the headlights are on high
beam. Push the turn signal lever away from the
steering wheel to switch the headlights from high or
low beam.
27. Brake System Warning Light
This light monitors various brake functions,
including brake fluid level and parking brake
application. If the brake light turns on, it may indicate
that the parking brake is applied, there is a low brake
fluid level or there is a problem with the anti-lock
brake system.
The dual brake system provides a reserve braking capac-
ity in the event of a failure to a portion of the hydraulic
system. Failure of either half of the dual brake system is
150 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

indicated by the Brake Warning Light which will turn on
when the brake fluid level in the master cylinder has
dropped below a specified level.
The light will remain on until the cause is corrected.
NOTE:The light may flash momentarily during sharp
cornering maneuvers which change fluid level condi-
tions. The vehicle should have service performed, and
the brake fluid level checked.
If brake failure is indicated, immediate repair is neces-
sary.
WARNING!
Driving a vehicle with the brake light on is danger-
ous. Part of the brake system may have failed. It will
take longer to stop the vehicle. You could have an
accident. Have the vehicle checked immediately.
Vehicles equipped with Anti-Lock brakes (ABS), are also
equipped with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD).In the event of an EBD failure, the Brake Warning Light
will turn on along with the ABS Light. Immediate repair
to the ABS system is required.
The operation of the Brake Warning Light can be checked
by turning the ignition switch from the OFF position to
the ON position. The light should illuminate for approxi-
mately two seconds. The light should then turn off unless
the parking brake is applied or a brake fault is detected.
If the light does not illuminate, have the light inspected
by an authorized dealer.
The light also will turn on when the parking brake is
applied with the ignition switch in the ON position.
NOTE:This light shows only that the parking brake is
applied. It does not show the degree of brake application.
28. Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
Button—If Equipped
Pushing this button will switch between the different
EVIC functions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL 151
4

STARTING AND OPERATING
CONTENTS

Starting Procedures....................208
▫Automatic Transaxle...................208
▫Manual Transaxle.....................208
▫Normal Starting......................208
▫Extremely Cold Weather
(Below
20°F Or
29°C)................209
▫If Engine Fails To Start.................209
▫After Starting........................210

Automatic Transaxle — If Equipped........210
▫Brake/Transmission Interlock System.......211
▫Automatic Transaxle Ignition
Interlock System......................212▫Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (Cvt)...............212
▫Fuel Economy/Performance
Operation Feature.....................213

AutoStick — If Equipped................214
▫AutoStick Operation...................214
▫AutoStick General Information............215

Manual Transaxle Operation..............215
▫Recommended Shift Speeds..............216
▫Downshifting........................217

All Wheel Drive System — If Equipped.....217

Parking Brake.........................218
5

Brake System.........................219
▫Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) —
If Equipped.........................220

Power Steering........................223

Driving On Slippery Surfaces.............224
▫Acceleration.........................224
▫Traction............................224

Tire Safety Information..................225
▫Tire Markings........................225
▫Tire Identification Number (TIN)..........228
▫Tire Loading And Tire Pressure...........229

Tires — General Information..............233
▫Tire Pressure.........................233
▫Tire Inflation Pressures.................234
▫Radial-Ply Tires......................236
▫Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped.........236▫Limited Use Spare — If Equipped.........237
▫Tire Spinning........................237
▫Tread Wear Indicators..................238
▫LifeOfTire .........................239
▫Replacement Tires.....................239
▫Alignment And Balance.................240

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) —
If Equipped
..........................241
▫Base Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) Operation – If Equipped..........241
▫Premium System – If Equipped...........242
▫General Information...................246

Tire Chains...........................247

Snow Tires...........................247

Tire Rotation Recommendations...........247

Fuel Requirements.....................248
206 STARTING AND OPERATING

STARTING PROCEDURES
Before starting your vehicle, adjust your seat, adjust both
inside and outside mirrors, and fasten your seat belts.
WARNING!
Never leave children alone in a vehicle. Leaving
children in a vehicle unattended is dangerous for a
number of reasons. A child or others could be
seriously or fatally injured. Don’t leave the keys in
the ignition. A child could operate power windows,
other controls, or move the vehicle.
WARNING!
Be sure to turn off the engine if you want to rest or
sleep in your car. Accidents can be caused by inad-
vertently moving the gear selection lever or by
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause exces-
sive heat in the exhaust system, resulting in over-
heating and vehicle fire which may cause serious or
fatal injuries.
Automatic Transaxle
The gear selector must be in the PARK or NEUTRAL
position before you can start the engine. Apply the brakes
before shifting to any driving gear.
NOTE:You must press the brake pedal before shifting
out of Park.
Manual Transaxle
Before starting the engine fully apply the parking brake,
press the clutch pedal to the floor and place the gear
selector in NEUTRAL.
NOTE:The engine will not start unless the clutch pedal
is pressed to the floor.
NOTE:If key won’t turn and steering wheel is locked,
rotate the wheel in either direction to relieve pressure on
the locking mechanism and then turn the key.
Normal Starting
Normal Starting of either a cold or a warm engine does
not require pumping or depressing the accelerator pedal.
Simply turn the ignition switch to the “START’” position
and release when the engine starts. If the engine fails to
208 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Damage to the transaxle may occur if the following
precautions are not observed:
•Shift into PARK only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
•Shift into or out of REVERSE only after the vehicle has
come to a complete stop and the engine is at idle
speed.
•Do not shift from REVERSE, PARK, or NEUTRAL into
any forward gear when the engine is above idle speed.
•Before shifting into any gear, make sure your foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.
NOTE:You MUST press and hold the brake pedal
down while shifting out of Park.
WARNING!
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out of “P” or
“N” if the engine speed is higher than idle speed. If
your foot is not firmly on the brake pedal, the
vehicle could accelerate quickly forward or in re-
verse. You could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear when
the engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Brake/Transmission Interlock System
This system prevents you from moving the gear shift out
of Park and into any gear unless the brake pedal is
pressed. This system is active only while the ignition
switch is in the ON or ACC positions. Always depress the
brake pedal first,before moving the gear selector out of
PARK.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the transaxle will not
shift out of park. Battery power is required to release the
brake/transmission interlock system. There is a remov-
able plug in the right side of the shifter housing that
STARTING AND OPERATING 211
5

allows you to insert your finger to override the system. If
this occurs obtain service as soon as possible.
Automatic Transaxle Ignition Interlock System
This system prevents the key from being removed unless
the shift lever is in PARK. It also prevents shifting out of
PARK unless the key is in the ACC or ON positions, and
the brake pedal is depressed.
NOTE:If a malfunction occurs, the system will trap the
key in the ignition cylinder to warn you that this safety
feature is inoperable. The engine can be started and
stopped but the key cannot be removed until you obtain
service.
Gear Ranges For Continuously Variable
Automatic Transaxle (CVT)
DO NOT race the engine when shifting from PARK or
NEUTRAL positions into another gear range.
“P” Park
Supplements the parking brake by locking the transmis-
sion. The engine can be started in this range. Never use P
(Park) while the vehicle is in motion. Apply the parkingbrake when leaving the vehicle in this range. Always
apply the parking brake first, and then place the selector
in P (Park) position.
WARNING!
Unintended movement of a vehicle could injure
those in and near the vehicle. As with all vehicles,
you should never exit a vehicle while the engine is
running. Before exiting a vehicle, you should always
shift the vehicle into P (Park), remove the key from
the ignition, and apply the parking brake. Once the
key is removed from the ignition, the transmission
shift lever is locked in the P (Park) position, securing
the vehicle against unwanted movement. Further-
more, you should never leave children unattended
inside a vehicle.
The following indicators should be used to ensure that
you have engaged the transmission shift lever into the P
(Park) position:
212 STARTING AND OPERATING

•When shifting into P (Park), firmly move the lever all
the way forward until it stops.
•Look at the shift indicator window on the console to
ensure it is in the P (Park) position.
•You must depress the brake pedal to move the shift
lever out of the P (Park) position.
CAUTION!
Before moving the shift lever out of P (Park), you
must turn the ignition from LOCK to ON so the
steering wheel and shift lever are released. Other-
wise, damage to the steering column or shifter could
result. You must also depress the brake pedal.
“R” Reverse
Shift into this range only after the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
“N” Neutral
Engine may be started in this range.
“D”
This should be used for most driving and provides the
best ratio for optimum driveability, fuel economy, and
performance.
“L” Low
This range should be used for maximum engine braking
when descending steep grades. In this range, the trans-
axle will ratio up only to prevent transaxle damage or
engine over speed while ratioing down will occur as
early as possible
Fuel Economy/Performance Operation Feature
Your vehicle is equipped with a fuel economy/
performance operation feature. This feature provides a
noticeable detent (bump/step) in accelerator pedal
movement when the accelerator pedal is near full
throttle. Pressing the accelerator pedal past this detent
changes the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
calibration to amaximum performancemode. Keeping
the accelerator pedal before this detent keeps the vehicle
in an “economy mode” of operation. The change from
economy to performance is most noticeable at speeds
above 50 mph (80 km/h).
STARTING AND OPERATING 213
5

ratio. After Autostick is activated, the manual ratio
selected is displayed in the transmission ratio display
and tipping the lever to the (+) or (-) direction will cause
an upshift or downshift by one ratio.
Autostick is deactivated:
•
By holding the lever to (+) momentarily.
•When the shift lever is shifted out ofD.
•When in 6 position, touching the lever to the right.
•When heavy Anti-lock brake system (ABS) application
is detected.
Autostick General Information
•
If a ratio other than 1st is selected and the vehicle is
brought to a stop, the transaxle control logic will
automatically select the 1st gear ratio.
•If a low range is selected and the engine accelerates to
the rev limit, the transaxle will automatically select the
next higher ratio.
•If a downshift would cause the engine to overspeed,
that shift will not occur until it is safe for the engine.
Mostly the CVT will stay in the manually selected
ratio, however.
•If the system detects powertrain overheating, the
transmission will revert to the automatic shift mode
and remain in that mode until the powertrain cools off.
•If the system detects a problem it will disable the
Autostick mode and the transmission will return to the
automatic mode until the problem is corrected.
MANUAL TRANSAXLE OPERATION
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended without having the parking
brake fully applied. The parking brake should al-
ways be applied when the driver is not in the
vehicle, especially on an incline.
STARTING AND OPERATING 215
5

Downshifting
Proper downshifting will improve fuel economy and
prolong engine life.
CAUTION!
If you skip more than one gear while downshifting
or downshift at too high a vehicle speed, you could
damage the engine, transmission, or clutch.
To maintain a safe speed and prolong brake life, shift
down to 2nd or 1st when descending a steep grade.
When turning a corner, or driving up a steep grade,
downshift early so that the engine will not be overbur-
dened.
All Wheel Drive System — If Equipped
This feature provides full time, on-demand, All Wheel
Drive (AWD).
The system is automatic with no driver gear selection or
additional driving skills required. Under normal driving
conditions, the front wheels provide most of the traction.
If the front wheels begin to lose traction, power is shifted
automatically to the rear wheels to equalize front and
rear wheels speeds. The greater the front wheel traction
loss the greater the power transfer to the rear wheels.
Additionally, on dry pavement under heavy throttle
input (where one may have no wheel spin), torque will be
sent to the rear in a preemptive effort to improve vehicle
launch and performance characteristics.
STARTING AND OPERATING 217
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